Medicines Australia Launches Code of Conduct Edition 20 and enhances user experience
27 March 2025: Medicines Australia has today launched Edition 20 of its internationally recognised Code of Conduct, reaffirming the standards for the ethical marketing and promotion of prescription pharmaceutical products in Australia. To support Edition 20 and the user experience, Medicines Australia has introduced a new interactive, web-based format of the Code. This transformation enhances user experience by seamlessly integrating Guidance, recorded webinars, and Notes from the Help Desk.
Edition 20 maintains the principles-based approach of Edition 19 with updates to address areas of ambiguity and changing practices in advertising and engagement with health professionals. The interactive Code introduces enhancements designed to support accessibility, transparency, and compliance across the pharmaceutical sector.
Key amendments in this Edition include:
– Clarity about media engagement: Strengthened guidance on ethical and responsible product-related statements to consumer media, including social media, guiding non-promotional communication.
– Updated promotional material requirements: The removal of Minimum Product Information in promotional materials acknowledges the digital shift while maintaining essential prescribing information and a balanced representation of risks and benefits.
– Expanded transparency reporting: Grants and donations to healthcare organisations are now included in transparency reporting, reinforcing industry’s commitment to openness and accountability.
CEO of Medicines Australia Liz de Somer said today, “After a year of consulting with members and other stakeholders, it is exciting to officially launch industry’s Code Edition 20 that builds on and improves Edition 19 of the Code. Our collective commitment to transparency, accessibility, and education ensures the Code continues to uphold the highest standards of industry self-regulation”.
The interactive Code of Conduct Edition 20 includes the Code Resources Toolkit and updated and new Guidance to support implementation of this Edition. The new digital format supports diverse working styles, making it easier than ever to navigate, understand, and apply the Code’s principles in real-world scenarios.
“To support Code compliance, industry now has an engaging suite of dynamic and varied resources. This contemporary digital approach will transform how the industry engages with the Code by:
– enhancing accessibility and ease of search;
– improving understanding and interaction with the Code; and
– supporting stronger knowledge and compliance across the industry.
“As an industry we are committed to ongoing and progressive refinement of self-regulation and I am pleased that together with members we have developed new tools to best support them in their implementation of the Code”, said Liz de Somer.
Code Edition 20 comes into effect on 30 March 2025.
About the Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct sets the standards for the ethical marketing and promotion of prescription pharmaceutical products in Australia. Launched in 1960, the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct complements the legislative requirements of Therapeutic Goods Act, 1989 and the Therapeutic Goods Regulations, 1990.
The Code is periodically reviewed to ensure it remains relevant to members, the wider industry and external stakeholders, whilst continuing to align with international self-regulation and domestic policies, legislation, standards and community expectations. After an extensive review, Edition 20 was formally adopted by members at the Medicines Australia Annual General Meeting in October 2024. For more information on the adoption of Edition 20, see here.
About Medicines Australia
Medicines Australia represents the research based pharmaceutical industry in Australia. Our members discover, develop and manufacture medicines and vaccines that are the foundation of a healthy and prosperous society founded on conduct of the highest ethical standards.
____________________________________________________________________
Media enquiries to: Anne-Marie Sparrow, Medicines Australia /Cube – media@medicinesaustralia.com.au or 0417 421 560